Land Disputes: Group Seeks Establishment Of Land Registration System In Kwara

A pro-democracy group, Kwara Must Change, has suggested ways to end the incessant land disputes among neighbouring communities in Kwara State.

Abdulrazaq Hamzat, the group’s convener, called for the establishment of a mandatory, electronically accessible, and transparent land registration system that would cover all parts of the state.

“This initiative aims to modernise land ownership, transfer processes, and management systems to promote peace, security, and governance in the state,” he said.

Hamzat expressed concern over the persistent land disputes in the state, particularly in rural areas, which he noted often led to loss of lives and properties.

He said that the proposal is designed to permanently resolve land disputes, reduce fraud in land transactions, and provide a peace building mechanism through improved land governance.

“The proposed system is aligned with the Land Use Act (LUA) of 1978, which vests ownership of all land in the state in the Governor, to be held in trust for the people. The system will generate accurate data on land ownership, improve transparency, and enhance the government’s ability to manage land resources effectively.”

Hamzat noted that while the LUA provides for land registration, acquisition, and dispute resolution, the proposed reversion of unregistered land after two years is not fully captured by the Act.

To address this, he urged the state government to enact a state law that would support this aspect and ensure effective implementation of the policy.